How caregiving situations relate to preschool children's development, sensory profile, and sleep
Developmental Status, Sensory Processing, and Sleep Quality in Preschool Children Across Different Caregiving Models
This project will see if 3–6-year-old children raised by first- or second-degree relatives, paid caregivers, or in daycare differ in development, sensory processing, and sleep quality.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 135 (estimated) |
| Ages | 3 Years to 6 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Fenerbahce University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul, Ataşehir) |
| Trial ID | NCT07511465 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study will enroll preschool children aged 3 to 6 living in Istanbul and compare developmental status, sensory processing, and sleep quality across four primary caregiving models (first-degree relatives, second-degree relatives, paid caregivers, and daycare). Parents will complete standardized tools—the Denver II for development, the Dunn Sensory Profile for sensory processing, and the Tayside Children's Sleep Questionnaire for sleep—along with demographic forms. Children must have experienced the same primary caregiving model for at least six months and cannot have prior neurological, developmental, or psychiatric diagnoses or be receiving related treatments. The study will analyze relationships among development, sensory processing, and sleep and test whether caregiving model is associated with differences in these outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are 3–6-year-old children in Istanbul who have lived in the same primary caregiving model for at least six months and whose parent or guardian can provide informed consent and complete Turkish-language forms.
Not a fit: Children with previously diagnosed neurological, developmental, or psychiatric disorders, or those currently receiving treatment for sensory, sleep, or developmental problems, are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this study's comparisons.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If caregiving-related differences are identified, findings could help caregivers and local services tailor support to improve preschool children's developmental, sensory, and sleep outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has linked caregiving environments to developmental and sleep differences and has used similar questionnaires, but head-to-head comparisons across these exact caregiving categories in preschoolers are limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Preschool children aged 3 to 6 years * Child has been raised within the same primary caregiving model for at least the past 6 months * Parent or legal guardian is willing to participate voluntarily and provide informed consent * Child and caregiver are able to understand Turkish and follow the study instructions Exclusion Criteria: * Previously diagnosed neurological, developmental, or psychiatric disorder (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, developmental delay) * Currently receiving treatment or therapy for sensory processing problems, sleep problems, or developmental difficulties * Parent or legal guardian provides incomplete or incorrect study forms * Child is unable to cooperate with or complete the assessment procedures
Where this trial is running
Istanbul, Ataşehir
- Fenerbahçe University — Istanbul, Ataşehir, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Sümeyye Akçay — Fenerbahçe University
- Study coordinator: Sümeyye Akçay, Asst. Prof.
- Email: smyye.akcy@gmail.com
- Phone: +905424002553
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.